O my child love, 
my love of long ago, 
How great was life 
when thou and I were young ! 
The world was boundless, 
For we did not know; 
A life, a poem, 
For we had not sung. 

Now is the world grown small 
and we thereon 
Fill with mere care and toil 
each narrow day; 
Elves from the wood, 
Dreams from my heart are gone 
And heaven is bare, 
for God is far away. 

Canst thou not come 
and touch my hand again, 
And I look on thee 
with grave and inocent eyes ? 
Thy God has many angels; 
I would fain Woo for one hour 
One angel from the skies. 

O my child love, 
come back come back to me, 
And, laughing, lead me 
from the toil and din ! 
Lay on my heart 
those small hands tenderly 
And let the whole world in.